WEST BROMWICH ALBION v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Barclays Premier League
Saturday 5th December 2015, 3:00pm
The Hawthorns

MATCH NOTES

The game will be the 141st league and cup meeting between Albion and Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs have a slight edge in terms of victories with 55 compared to the Baggies' 53.

There have been 18 Premier League meetings between the clubs with Albion winning three games and Spurs eight.

Albion's last game on this date came in 2010 when goals from Peter Odemwingie (2) and Somen Tchoyi gave the Baggies a 3-1 win over Newcastle United in a Premier League clash at The Hawthorns.

Spurs' last game on December 5 came in 2013 when they played out a 2-2 Premier League draw with Manchester United at White Hart Lane, Kyle Walker and Sandro the hosts' goalscorers.

Albion have registered 117 shots in their 14 matches this season - the fewest in the top flight, whilst their average of 39.9% possession in games this season is also a league low.

Spurs are unbeaten in 13 league games (W6, D7) - their best run since the 1984/85 season.

Only Manchester United (10) have conceded fewer goals than Spurs (11) this season.

Albion's last six games: West Ham United (A) 1-1; Arsenal (H) 2-1; Manchester United (A) 0-2;  Leicester City (H) 2-3; Norwich City (A) 1-0; Sunderland (H) 1-0.

Spurs' last six games: Chelsea (H) 0-0; FK Qarabag (A, EL) 1-0; West Ham United (H) 4-1; Arsenal (A) 1-1; Anderlecht (H, EL) 2-1; Aston Villa (H) 3-1.

TEAM NEWS

Albion

Tony Pulis will be without Argentine midfielder Claudio Yacob who is suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season in last weekend's game at West Ham. Pulis is however boosted by the return of Chris Brunt following his own suspension.

Tottenham Hotspur

Dele Alli returns after suspension but fellow midfielder Ryan Mason is out after sustaining an ankle injury.

MATCH ODDS

Result

Albion Win: 7/2, Tottenham Win: 10/11, Draw: 21/10.

First Goalscorer

Albion: Rondon 15/2, Lambert 9/1, Berahino 9/1, Anichebe 10/1, Sessegnon 11/1, McClean 12/1, Morrison 12/1, McManaman 14/1, Dawson 20/1, Gardner 20/1, Brunt 25/1, Fletcher 25/1, McAuley 33/1.

Tottenham Hotspur: Kane 7/2, N'Jie 11/2, Son 6/1, Eriksen 13/2, Lamela 7/1, Chadli 15/2, Alli 9/1, Townsend 10/1, Onomah 11/1, Dembele 11/1, Mason 12/1, Dier 20/1, Bentaleb 20/1, Carroll 20/1, Rose 25/1, Vertonghen 25/1, Alderweireld 25/1, Wimmer 33/1.

No Goalscorer: 8/1.

www.williamhill.com

REFEREE

Jonathan Moss (West Yorkshire)

Moss has refereed one Albion game so far this season, the 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace in October.

He officiated four Albion games last season - the 2-0 win at Crystal Palace in April, the 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa in March, the 1-1 draw at West Ham United on New Year's Day and the 4-0 win at home to Burnley last September.

The West Yorkshire official has taken charge of one Tottenham game this season - the 1-0 defeat at Manchester United on the opening day of the season.

Moss has handed out 35 yellow cards and three reds in the eleven games he has refereed so far this season.

A full run-down of Moss' history refereeing the Baggies can be found here

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets remain on general sale to home supporters priced at £39 adults, £29 seniors (over-60s), £25 Under-21/students and £15 juniors.

WEATHER FORECAST

Light cloud, 10°C.

FIXTURE HISTORY

The Baggies have won only three of 18 Premier League matches against Spurs.

A full fixture history between the two teams can be found here

LAST MEETING AT THE HAWTHORNS

Albion 0-3 Tottenham Hotspur
Barclays Premier League
Saturday 31st January 2015, 3.00pm

Albion: Foster, Wisdom (Gardner 60’), McAuley, Dawson, Lescott, Yacob, Brunt, Morrison (Dorrans 88’), McManaman (Ideye 60’), Anichebe, Berahino. Subs not used: Rose, Pocognoli, Baird, Sessegnon.

Booked: Berahino 55 (dissent), Yacob 80 (foul)

Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris, Walker, Fazio, Vertonghen, Rose, Dembele (Chadli 62), Mason (Stambouli 73), Eriksen, Paulinho, Lamela, Kane (Soldado 88). Subs not used: Vorm, Davies, Dier, Townsend.

Goalscorers:  Eriksen 6, Kane 15 & 64 (pen)

Booked: Lamela 90 (foul)

Attendance: 25,079

Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)

Tottenham's Harry Kane further enhanced his growing reputation with two goals in a convincing-looking 3-0 win over West Brom in the Barclays Premier League. The 21-year-old, whose form reportedly has Spurs ready to rip up a contract signed just five months ago to offer an improved one, took his season's tally to 20 after Christian Eriksen opened the scoring at The Hawthorns. Eriksen struck after just six minutes with a trademark free-kick, maintaining his fine recent form for the Capital One Cup finalists. Kane doubled the lead after 15 minutes and grabbed the third from the penalty spot after 66, condemning Tony Pulis to his first defeat at West Brom boss. Between the second and thirds goals, however, West Brom had been the better side and Pulis will have seen plenty to encourage him, despite a low-key debut from new signing Callum McManaman.

A touch of razzmatazz was brought to the occasion by a visit from the cheerleaders of the Kansas City Chiefs, who are in the UK on Super Bowl weekend for NFL publicity reasons. The players came out to a guard of honour from the cheerleaders but any sparkle initially seemed lost on West Brom, who started sluggishly. The hosts put up little resistance as Spurs carved through them at will in the early stages, getting their first chance after Mousa Dembele was brought down outside the area by Claudio Yacob. There was little doubt Eriksen would shoot after his stunning set-piece against Sheffield United in midweek and further fuelling his confidence with a late goal in that League Cup semi-final. But Foster still seemed slow to move and could not keep out the in-form Dane's well-struck effort. It was the first goal the Baggies had conceded in three Premier League games since Pulis took charge and they were reeling from another soon after. This time Kane applied the finish after picking up a defence-splitting pass from Dembele. Kane turned inside Andre Wisdom and smashed the ball home before Foster had chance to react. It looked like being a long and sobering afternoon for Pulis but his side responded positively to the double setback. Saido Berahino and Victor Anichebe combined well before Chris Brunt shot straight at Hugo Lloris from long range. That gave Lloris a welcome first taste of the action before he was called upon to tip over a fine effort from James Morrison. Spurs' goalkeeping captain, back in the side after missing their three successive cup games in the past fortnight, then did even better to deny Yacob from close range following an elaborate free-kick routine. Joleon Lescott headed over, Anichebe shot just wide and Craig Dawson went even closer, heading against the bar, as West Brom stepped up the pressure. Morrison also wanted a free-kick for a foul by Danny Rose just outside the area but nothing was given.

West Brom could not carry their momentum into the second half and Eriksen went close to scoring his second with a low left-footed drive across goal. Spurs got the chance to increase their lead just after the hour as Lescott slid in to block a cross from Kyle Walker and the ball struck his arm. It was unfortunate for Lescott but referee Kevin Friend clearly felt he had no option other than to award a penalty. Kane was emphatic from the spot, sending Foster the wrong way with a perfect shot just inside the left post. West Brom's response will again at least have pleased Pulis as Anichebe headed over and Berahino drove wide. But Spurs retained the upper hand and Foster denied Kane a hat-trick when he touched over his free-kick.

Sporting Life

CURRENT CONNECTIONS

Albion coach Gerry Francis managed Spurs for three years between November 1994 and November 1997.

PAST CONNECTIONS

Amongst the players to have turned out at various levels for both clubs are: Gerry Armstrong, Freddie Cox, Garth Crooks, Tom Evans, Thomas Evans, Ruel Fox, Márton Fülöp, Charlie Hewitt, George Lee, Colin Lyman, Tom Pangborn, Chris Perry, Graham Roberts, Steve Walford and Doug Witcomb.

ALL-TIME LEAGUE & CUP RECORD VS TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

LAST TEN MATCHES AGAINST TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR